Hamas is set to release three hostages, including American-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, Russian-Israeli Alexander Troufanov, and Argentine-Israeli Yair Horn, on Saturday. This release follows anxieties about the potential collapse of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. The three individuals were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, and have endured 497 days in captivity.

Dekel-Chen's release marks the second instance of an American hostage being freed by Hamas since President Donald Trump returned to office, the first being Keith Siegel on February 1.

The planned release comes after Hamas threatened to halt further hostage releases, alleging Israeli violations of the ceasefire through airstrikes and obstructed humanitarian aid deliveries. This threat raised international concerns about the agreement's fragility. President Trump urged Israel to terminate the ceasefire if Hamas failed to release all remaining hostages, not just the three specified in the agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call for Hamas to release hostages on Saturday further fueled uncertainty, as he didn't clarify whether he meant all hostages or only the three initially agreed upon.

Retired IDF Major General Yaakov Amidror affirmed Israel's commitment to the existing agreement, emphasizing the expectation that Hamas would uphold its commitment to release the three hostages. He expressed optimism, suggesting Hamas was unlikely to risk non-compliance given the prevailing sentiment in Washington.

Out of the 33 hostages initially designated for release during the first 42-day phase of the ceasefire, only 16 have been freed. The agreement stipulated the release of three hostages per week following an initial release of seven. The remaining 14 are expected to be released together on February 22, concluding the first phase.

The IDF estimates at least eight hostages designated for release in the first phase have died in captivity. The fate of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, remains unconfirmed, although Hamas claims they were killed in an Israeli airstrike, a claim the IDF hasn't substantiated. Negotiations for the remaining 65 hostages, including at least 26 believed to be deceased, were slated to begin earlier this month but haven't officially commenced according to Amidror.

Recent reports from released hostages detail harrowing experiences of torture, interrogation, and starvation. The physical condition of hostages released last week drew significant attention, with many noting their resemblance to Holocaust survivors.

Five Americans remain captive, including 19-year-old IDF soldier Edan Alexander, the only American hostage believed to be alive. He is not scheduled for release until the second phase. IDF soldiers Itay Chen and Omer Neutra, along with Gadi and Judi Haggai, are presumed killed by Hamas and their bodies are still being held. Keith Siegel, released earlier, expressed gratitude to President Trump for his efforts and appealed for continued leadership to ensure the ceasefire's integrity and the safe return of all hostages.